105 Ways to Give a Book

MotherReader Challenge Update II

My continuing schedule:
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Break
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Blog
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Read more Catching Fire
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.Try three different books
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.Give up; need a nap instead
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Read Riot
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.Break for dinner/TV time

I’m at the halfway mark and have fifteen hours, four and a half books so far. Not my best work. Actually, I’ve felt more focused when I’ve had more things on my weekend schedule because I had to get out of the house and do something completely different. I’d come back more refreshed and excited to read again. Today it’s been harder to keep up my energy.

I know that I’m going back to Catching Fire later tonight, after my seventh grader finishes it. Now I need to pick a book that I’m excited about. Or maybe something funny. How are you pacing yourself?

8 comments:

Saints and Spinners said...

I'm taking a break in between each book. I must confess, I had a choice between sleeping in this morning and reading, and I chose sleeping in. After my gig, I spent 90 minutes reading in the bookstore (and ate lunch while I read). Oddly enough, the books I enjoy reading are taking longer than the books that I'm just reading to plow through. I have been trying to vary fiction and non-fiction. Also, I'm going back and forth between books that I feel I "have" to read because either someone's lent me them or because they've been on my bookshelf for years and books I really want to read. We're going out to dinner with family in just a moment, and then I'll pick up Urn Burial, a book I've been wanting to reread for a long, long time.

This is a good exercise for me. I'm a life-long reader, but over the past while, sitting down and becoming immersed in a book has been a rare occurence because of other wonderful things that I can't do at the same time-- sewing and guitar playing are two of those main activities.

I bought my own copy of Graceling today! That was one of the 2 books I read last year that I simply could not put down until I was done. I told everyone to go away. :)

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I think you are doing great! I only have three books done with about ten hours of reading. I have to keep stopping to take care of my little boys, and I can't go far without sleep so I am not in the running for prizes. I am really enjoying the challenge and all the reading time though!

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who had to take a nap. I wasted away most of the day doing errands, so I hope to read well into the evening tonight.
Jen

Shanni said...

I have had things to do in the morning, so I have been starting later in the day. Plus, I take half hour breaks if I spend more than two hours reading. Also, I switched between two different books. I am starting a graphic novel tonight to give myself a break from words. And finally, I take an hour break for dinner and a walk..which is what I am doing right now. A break for dinner and a walk :) and of course, a blog or two ;) Happy reading!

Charlotte said...

Go Pam!

I have found this weekend much more pleasant than past 48HRCs, now that it is time reading and not pages read, or number of books. It means I can savor what I'm reading, or put it down if it isn't working.

On the flip side of that, I've been watching with sleepy-eyed fascination the blog of a younger participant who did not include "sleep" in her plans for the 48 hours...My bed is calling, and it is not yet 11.

I played my 1 audio book card to great advantage, dragging an extension cord and cd player into the vegetable garden with me, to give me my outside time. This helped a lot.

Thank you so much, Pam, for all the effort you put into this!

Saints and Spinners said...

P.S. MR, when I read "Fifteen hours... not my best work so far," I had to laugh. I totally got it. It's wonderful to have 15 hours of reading in, and you ARE doing great, but I know that when you've got high aspirations and have done waaay more reading in the past, it can seem mild by comparison. I have to keep talking myself down from "Hey, there was a time when I could have blown this challenge out of the water" talk.

Yay Pam! Really, Yay, Everyone!

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

I've been blogging/networking between books and making sure I take breaks for my dog and husband-who have been great!
I keep reading romances because I like them and if it's a good story I get pulled in. I've been in a reading slump lately and not really enjoying some of the books I've read recently, so the challenge is really helping me sit down and read-and I'm enjoying the books I'm reading! I just wish I could read a little faster!

Tammy said...

This is my first Marathon Reading Challenge so I think next time I'll plan my reading times differently. I wish I had started today instead of on Friday because of hectic schedule. Also I'll keep better track of my reading time. It's been a really fun experience and I've really enjoyed going to other blogger sites.
To answer your question I have been changing the location of where I read to help me stay focused. My favorite place this weekend has been the deck during rain storms wrapped in a big blanket.